A close call with death gave Somali radio journalist Mohamed Nor firsthand experience of the perils of exercising his profession.

Nor, who goes by the studio name Sharif, was shot three times in the stomach in a brutal attack in the capital city Mogadishu in June 2012.  He was leaving his office premises when he was attacked by two pistol-wielding assailants, believed to be Al-Shabaab militants. The attack left two bullets lodged in his stomach.

After two months in a Nairobi hospital and another three convalescing at home, Nor returned to work in Mogadishu, despite protests from his family. Two months later, two of his journalist friends were killed in an explosion in which Nor believes he was the real target.

“I received a text message saying, ‘your friends who left you moments earlier have met their death. You survived before, but from now on we will see if you live,’” Nor said.

Somali journalist Mohammed Nor shows scars from bullet wounds. He was shot three times in the stomach in a brutal attack in the capital city Mogadishu in June 2012. PHOTO | COURTESY

Death threats, targeted assassinations and intimidation are still daily realities for Somali journalists, for whom working conditions have been ranked among the most dangerous in the world.

According to a March 2016 report released by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work in as a journalist. Fifty nine journalists have been killed since 1992, many of them either murdered or killed in crossfire, combat or while on dangerous assignments.

The country ranks at the top of CPJ's Global Impunity Index, which highlights countries where murders of journalists go unpunished.

In Mogadishu, assassinations are normally carried out by masked men who waylay journalists in alleys and at times at the gates of their residences. Most murders are never properly investigated. The threats undermine coverage of not only sensitive political stories but also important humanitarian issues.

READ: Plight of Somalia's journalists

“In Somalia, one has always to be careful on what he or she writes, as it might be the decider of one’s survival or death. If they do not like an article you have written or a photo you have taken, they will always threaten you and at times come for you if they feel you are disobeying their orders,” said Farah Abdi Warsame, a Mogadishu-based photojournalist, who survived a bomb blast and still faces constant death threats from armed gangs.

“I have also lost some of my colleagues whom I worked with. Others have been maimed, while the rest fled the country for security reasons. Some of them were so demoralised and quit the profession,” he said, holding back tears.

Protect journalists

On World Freedom Press Day, newsmen and women in the Horn of Africa country are urging the government to make the environment safer for a growing and vibrant press that works under constant threats and intimidation from political, criminal and militant forces.

In a unanimous resolution last year the United Nations Security Council called for states to take greater steps to protect journalists in situations of armed conflict and ensure accountability for crimes against them.

In Somalia, the intervention of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), which is helping to fight the terrorist group Al Shabaab, is offering hope for a reduction in lawlessness and terrorist acts across the country.

Joint offensives by the Somali National Army (SNA) and Amisom, has secured the capital Mogadishu and other parts of the country, enhancing security and working conditions for the citizens including journalists. In addition Amisom, as part of its support of the Federal Government of Somalia, has organised a series of workshops aimed at boosting journalism standards in the country.

“Amisom has conducted a number of trainings for Somali journalists, some aimed at improving the quality of our work and others focusing on our safety.

However, journalists still need more training to better themselves,” Farhia Mohamed the chairperson of the Somali Women Journalists said.

But the reality is that freedom of the press is still far off for Somalis.

“We will be celebrating not because we are happy but in remembrance of our colleagues who have died in the line of duty. We hope that a day will come when journalists are no longer killed,” Ali Halane, a broadcast journalist said.